Be smart, be safe...
Always
use a condom!
Sexual health and
sexually transmitted infections
Anyone
who has unprotected sex
is at risk of getting a sexually
transmitted infection (STI). It doesn’t matter
how many partners you have. But you can help keep yourself
safe from
infections and unintended pregnancy by practising safer sex.
Condoms work by preventing
the transfer of body fluids from one person
to another. This reduces the risk
of infection .
Make putting on a condom a part of your sex-life. Condoms come in a
wide choice of shapes, sizes, textures and flavours - see which kind
suits you best.
Did
you know?
NHS
statistics show that at least one in every ten
young adults (aged 16-25) have a
sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia or
gonorrhoea.
Many have no obvious symptoms but can still have
long-term damaging effects on
your health. But most can be treated - so if in doubt, get
yourself checked out at a
Sexual Health or GU (Genito-Urinary) Clinic.
In Powys, there are GU clinics
at Builth Wells and Newtown Hospitals. Condoms protect you
against most sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
- the virus which causes Aids
- for which there is still no cure. Condoms also protect against unintended
pregnancy -
the Pill protects women against pregnancy but does not protect against infections.
Be doubly safe - use a condom even if you’re on the Pill.
Condoms
for free
Get free condoms from family
planning, sexual health, GU or young people’s clinics or
Powys Safer Sex Enterprise (SSE) in
many youth clubs.
If
you’re gay, you can
contact FLAG* Powys (Friends, Lesbian & Gay) 01874 712727
for free condoms and
lube. Or you can buy condoms, if you prefer, from supermarkets,
chemists, garages, vending
machines in pubs, leisure centres and colleges, by mail-order
or over the internet.
follow
the condom code...
1.
Use a good quality condom - look for the Kite or CE mark -
and make sure it’s within its ‘use-by’ date.
2. Heat damages condoms, so keep them in a cool dry place.
3. Open the packet carefully - be careful not to tear or
damage the condom.
4. Most condoms are lubricated, but if you do want extra lube
make sure it’s a water-based product such as KY jelly.
DO NOT use oil-based lubricants such as vaseline, baby oil,
hand cream or massage oils - these damage the condom and make
it unsafe.
5. For anal sex always use plenty of extra lubricant.
6. Put on the condom before starting penetrative sex, and
remove carefully while the penis is still hard.
7. Take your own condoms if you’re going abroad.
8. Always carry your own condoms - don’t rely on the other
person to have some.
The
female condom
A female condom, or femidom,
is also available. This fits inside the vagina and can be
put in any time before sex. You can buy it in most pharmacists and it’s available
free
from some clinics.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception -
the ‘morning after’ pill - is available from pharmacists,
GPs or local hospitals. To be effective, it must be taken within 3 days (72
hours) of sex.
For
information, help or advice...
Clinics in Powys - phone for current
clinic times
Brecon: 01874 622 443
Builth
Wells: 01982 554 354
Llandrindod Wells: 01597 828 789
Newtown: 01686 617 200
Welshpool: 01938 558 900
Ystradgynlais: 01639 846 465
other
sources of info...
FLAG* Powys (Friends, Lesbian & Gay): 01874 712 727
or ask PALS on 0845 223 5209...
...or look
at:
www.fpa.org.uk
or one of the other sites listed on our links page.